Press Releases

U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA-08), Bobby Scott (D-VA-03), Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10), and Eugene Vindman (D-VA-07) today wrote Acting Secretary for the Department of Agriculture Gary Washington and Acting Director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Susan Coller Monarez urging an immediate resumption of vital communications from the Administration related to virus and disease monitoring following recent outbreaks of bird flu in Virginia and surrounding regions, heightened concerns about rising egg prices, and impacts on the state’s agricultural economy and public health.

They wrote:

“We write to request an immediate resumption of communications related to virus and disease communication, particularly influenza viruses like H5N1 Avian Influenza (bird flu).

“On January 16th a commercial broiler flock in Accomack County returned presumptive positive results for bird flu, and on January 20th, the Metro Richmond Zoo announced positive cases of bird flu in two deceased cranes. This was subsequently confirmed by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the commercial broiler flock was depopulated and not allowed to enter the food supply chain. Bird flu outbreaks have also been detected at three poultry operations in the broader Delmarva region, reportedly impacting more the 500,000 chickens. And unfortunately, the risks are not limited to animals. According to the CDC, a total of 67 human cases of bird flu have been identified in the United States, with 66 occurring in 2024. Most infections have been clinically mild, but on January 5, 2025, Louisiana reported the first death in the U.S.

“The disease outbreak has already contributed to record egg prices.

“To avoid economic loss to the top private industry in the State, it is imperative that we prioritize biosecurity. Biosecurity includes strong state and federal partnerships, including communications. Influenza viruses have potential to evolve, and A(H5N1) viruses are widely prevalent in wild birds. Therefore, continued comprehensive and coordinated, multisectoral communication and surveillance across public health and animal health for these viruses in wild birds, poultry, mammals, and people are critical to determine risk and response. Consequently, we request an immediate resumption of communications related to disease and viruses, like morbidity and mortality weekly reports, case and incidence dashboards, serology tests and studies, and surveillance research and reports, to ensure Virginia remains updated and biosecure.”

Full text of the letter follows below, and a signed copy is available here.

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Dear Acting Secretary Washington and Acting Director Monarez:

We write to request an immediate resumption of communications related to virus and disease communication, particularly influenza viruses like H5N1 Avian Influenza (bird flu).

On January 16th a commercial broiler flock in Accomack County returned presumptive positive results for bird flu, and on January 20th, the Metro Richmond Zoo announced positive cases of bird flu in two deceased cranes. This was subsequently confirmed by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the commercial broiler flock was depopulated and not allowed to enter the food supply chain. Bird flu outbreaks have also been detected at three poultry operations in the broader Delmarva region, reportedly impacting more the 500,000 chickens. And unfortunately, the risks are not limited to animals. According to the CDC, a total of 67 human cases of bird flu have been identified in the United States, with 66 occurring in 2024. Most infections have been clinically mild, but on January 5, 2025, Louisiana reported the first death in the U.S.

Virginia has a robust agricultural industry. According to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the industry has an economic impact of $82.3 billion annually, provided more than 381,800 jobs in the Commonwealth, and $43.8 billion in value-added impact. Cattle, dairy, and eggs are some of the top commodities that the state produces. While bird flu has largely been transmitted by wild birds and thus far mostly impacted Western states, particularly California, the recent cases are deeply concerned for potential impacts to Virginia’s economy. The disease outbreak has already contributed to record egg prices.

We understand that the current response has been in a strong partnership with the States, with 15 states requesting personal protective equipment from the strategic national stockpile. We recognize the importance of the National Milk Testing Strategy to support and proactively detect cases, and that Virginia only just started to participate in surveillance. We do not want to short-change these efforts.

To avoid economic loss to the top private industry in the State, it is imperative that we prioritize biosecurity. Biosecurity includes strong state and federal partnerships, including communications. Influenza viruses have potential to evolve, and A(H5N1) viruses are widely prevalent in wild birds. Therefore, continued comprehensive and coordinated, multisectoral communication and surveillance across public health and animal health for these viruses in wild birds, poultry, mammals, and people are critical to determine risk and response. Consequently, we request an immediate resumption of communications related to disease and viruses, like morbidity and mortality weekly reports, case and incidence dashboards, serology tests and studies, and surveillance research and reports, to ensure Virginia remains updated and biosecure.

Sincerely,